Partner dance is learned in a lot of different ways — private lessons, group classes, social dancing, workshops, structured syllabi, mentorship, and professional training.
Finding Dance collects credible educational resources that can help dancers get started, instructors strengthen their teaching, and dance professionals continue developing their skills.
This resource is a work in progress and will continue to grow.
Finding Dance does not replace instruction from a qualified teacher. These resources are intended to help dancers understand what is available and connect with the people and organizations that can help them learn.
Start Learning
USA Dance — How to Get Started Dancing
Organization: USA Dance
For: Beginning dancers
A practical introduction to learning ballroom and social dance, including instruction, practice, social dancing, and finding local dance opportunities.
Beginners
Ballroom
Social Dance
Getting Started
USA Dance — Ballroom 101
Organization: USA Dance
For: Beginning dancers
A beginner-oriented guide to the ballroom dance world, including basic terminology, local chapters, college clubs, social dancing, and competition structure.
Beginners
Ballroom
DanceSport
Guide
Structured Syllabi & Curriculum
UCWDC Free Partner Dance Syllabi
Organization: United Country Western Dance Council
For: Dancers and instructors
UCWDC provides free downloadable newcomer syllabi for its competitive partner dances along with demonstration videos. The material is available for dancers and instructors who want a structured introduction to Country partner dance.
- Two Step
- Triple Two
- Nightclub
- Waltz
- Polka
- Cha Cha
- East Coast Swing
- West Coast Swing
Country Dance
Free Syllabus
Partner Dance
Teaching Resource
Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing — Syllabus Outlines
Organization: Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD)
For: Teachers and serious students
ISTD publishes structured syllabus outlines for multiple dance disciplines, including Modern Ballroom, Latin American, Country & Western, Rock ‘n’ Roll, and related dance education.
Ballroom
Latin
Country
Teacher Education
Syllabus
International Dance Teachers Association — Syllabi
Organization: International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA)
For: Teachers and serious students
IDTA provides syllabus information covering Ballroom, Latin, American Smooth, Argentine Tango, Salsa, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Line Dance, and other dance disciplines.
Ballroom
Latin
Salsa
Argentine Tango
Teacher Education
Instructor Education
IDTA Professional Teaching Qualifications
Organization: International Dance Teachers Association
For: Aspiring and working teachers
IDTA offers professional dance teaching qualifications and examinations across multiple disciplines. Partner-dance-related pathways include Ballroom, Latin, Salsa, Argentine Tango, Rock ‘n’ Roll, and related subjects.
Teacher Training
Certification
Ballroom
Latin
Salsa
Tango
UCWDC — Get Started Handbook for Pros
Organization: United Country Western Dance Council
For: Dance professionals
A practical starting guide for dance professionals entering the UCWDC system, including newcomer resources, syllabi, competition information, and guidance for instructors working with Country dancers.
Instructors
Country Dance
Professional Development
ISTD Professional Education
Organization: Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
For: Dance teachers and professionals
ISTD provides professional education, examinations, teaching qualifications, syllabus materials, and continuing development across Ballroom, Latin and other dance disciplines.
Teacher Training
Professional Development
Ballroom
Latin
Judging & Competition Education
WSDC Judge Education
Organization: World Swing Dance Council
For: Judges and competition professionals
WSDC provides structured judge education based on official competition rules and scoring standards. Training covers areas such as competition rules, callbacks, scoring, judging criteria, and panel responsibilities.
Note: Access to portions of the WSDC judge-education platform may require appointment or invitation from WSDC.
West Coast Swing
Judging
Competition
Professional Education
WSDC Approved Judges’ Training Resources
Organization: World Swing Dance Council / Affiliated Judges Program
For: Judge candidates and competition professionals
WSDC lists approved external judge-training programs whose curricula align with expectations for candidates preparing for the Affiliated Judges Program examination.
West Coast Swing
Judging
Professional Development
Lindy Hop Education & Preservation
Frankie Manning Foundation
Organization: Frankie Manning Foundation
For: Lindy Hop dancers, teachers, and communities
The Frankie Manning Foundation supports Lindy Hop education and preservation through scholarships, historical resources, interviews, community programs, and work carrying forward Frankie Manning’s legacy.
Lindy Hop
Education
Scholarships
History
Ways to Learn Partner Dance
Group Classes
Good for learning fundamentals, meeting other dancers, and gaining experience dancing with different partners.
Private Lessons
Useful for individualized feedback, faster problem-solving, competition preparation, or working toward specific goals.
Social Dancing
Where dancers practice adapting what they know to different partners, music, and real social-dance situations.
Workshops
Focused learning sessions often offered at events, studios, clubs, and dance weekends.
Structured Syllabi
Some dance systems use organized curricula or syllabi that define figures, techniques, or levels.
Practice
Learning usually improves faster when instruction is paired with regular practice and actual dancing.
Resources Can Teach You a Lot. A Teacher Can See What You’re Actually Doing.
Use these resources to explore. When you’re ready to learn, Finding Dance can help you find an instructor.
Are You a Dance Instructor?
Finding Dance is also building resources for instructors — from teaching and professional education to tools for running and growing a dance business.
Know a Learning Resource We Should Include?
If you know of a credible syllabus, educational organization, teacher-training program, or learning resource that belongs here, let us know.